Description
German WWII 10 cm Nebelwerfer 35 Mortar-Bomb Tail Fin Assembly
Item Overview
This German WWII Nebelwerfer 35 mortar-bomb tail fin assembly preserves the rear section of a round made for the 10 cm smoke mortar. It retains the brass base of its ignition cartridge, adding a marked ammunition component to the fin unit. Its construction connects this collectible to a distinct part of Germany's wartime mortar program.
- Eight stabilizing fins formed in four pairs
- Central tail tube for the primary propelling cartridge
- Retained brass ignition-cartridge base
- RWS manufacturer marking on the cartridge component
- 40 stamp on the cartridge base
- 10 cm ammunition designation stamped on the brass base
Function
The tail fins helped keep the mortar bomb stable and pointed forward during flight. The central tube held the primary propelling cartridge, which formed part of the ammunition's propulsion system. This rear assembly therefore served two roles: supporting the cartridge before launch and providing flight stability after the bomb left the mortar.
Documented End-Item Application
The British Handbook of Enemy Ammunition, Pamphlet 11, page 52, describes this construction on the 10 cm Wgr. 35 high-explosive mortar bomb for the 10 cm Nb.W.35. Its description includes the paired-fin arrangement and the caliber stamp on the cartridge base. Despite its 10 cm designation, the parent mortar had an actual bore of 105 mm.
Product History
The British War Office published Pamphlet 11 on May 20, 1944, providing a wartime record of this ammunition design. Its detailed treatment of the tail and cartridge shows how Allied specialists identified German mortar rounds through their construction and markings. The retained RWS component adds a manufacturer connection: RWS was founded in 1886 as Rheinisch-Westfälische Sprengstoff-Actiengesellschaft. Here, that maker's mark identifies the cartridge component.
Parent-Equipment History
The Nebelwerfer 35 used an enlarged version of the familiar German 8 cm mortar layout. Its main parts were a barrel, bipod, and baseplate. This muzzle-loading mortar combined a larger ammunition payload with a conventional crew-served design. It belonged to the heavy-mortar category in wartime Allied handbooks and formed part of Germany's specialized smoke-mortar equipment.
Weapon-System Background
Nebelwerfer means smoke projector, reflecting the system's original purpose. The Nebelwerfer 35 was first issued to chemical-warfare troops for smoke and chemical ammunition, while wartime references also document high-explosive rounds. Smoke rounds could conceal movement, while high-explosive ammunition provided fire support. The broader Nebelwerfer name also covered the heavier Model 40 mortar and later rocket projectors, placing this assembly within the system's single-tube mortar history.
History of Use
A U.S. military report dated July 15, 1943, described the Nebelwerfer 35 as a standard German Army smoke weapon and recorded some use by airborne troops. The report listed a five-man crew and transport by a two-wheeled handcart. These details show how the weapon was served and moved in the field, while its smoke and high-explosive ammunition supported different battlefield needs.
Condition
This item is the detached rear assembly, retaining the brass cartridge base and the identification markings described above. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
The recognizable fin pattern and cartridge-base markings make this piece a useful reference for studying German WWII mortar ammunition. It suits collections and exhibits that explain individual components alongside wartime manuals and illustrations.
- German WWII ordnance collections
- Nebelwerfer 35 and heavy-mortar displays
- Military museums and educational exhibits
- RWS cartridge-marking reference collections
- Comparative study of mortar-bomb tail designs
Approx length 5", Approx width 4", Approx height 4", Approx weight 2lbs.
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